Benjamin Britten: Purcell realisations

This material is held atBritish Library Music Collections

  • Reference
    • GB 2027 Add MS 60626
  • Alternative Id.
      (ark) ark:/81055/vdc_100000000393.0x000100
  • Dates of Creation
    • [1943-1945]
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 1 volume (9 folios)

Scope and Content

Three realisations of music by Henry Purcell. None of the manuscripts is dated.

1. Henry Purcell, 'The Golden Sonata' (Z 810), realised for two violins, cello and piano. Entitled 'Sonata IX', scored in pencil with Britten's signature on f. 1 (ff. 1-7v).

First performance: 21 November 1945, Wigmore Hall, London.

2. Henry Purcell, 'There's not a swain of the plain' (Z 587), scored in pencil, text over-written in blue ink, with Britten's initials: 'Purcell arr BB' (f. 8).

Text by Anthony Henley, inserted by Purcell (1693) into John Fletcher, Rule a Wife and Have a Wife (1624). Britten's arrangement was first performed by Britten and Peter Pears: 19 July 1943, Mayflower Barn, Jordans, Buckinghamshire.

3. Henry Purcell, 'Turn then thine eyes' (Z 425; text Anon). 'Purcell arr BB', scored in pencil (ff. 8v-9).

First performance (Britten and Pears): 13 March 1945, Salle de l'Ancien Conservatoire, Paris.

Access Information

Restrictions to access apply please consult British Library staff

Not Public Record(s)

Alternative Form Available

Digitised copy available on British Library Digitised Manuscripts: http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Add_MS_60626

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

A note in pencil on the fly leaf (by Philip Reed, 3 June 1987) states that the manuscript has been incorrectly bound and indicates what the sequence of folios should be.